North Korea reported on the drill a day after its neighbors said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches and accused the North of carrying out provocations. In past years, North Korea has performed a series of tests to acquire it, but many foreign experts question whether the tested missiles have achieved their desired speed and maneuverability during flights. In recent weeks, North Korea test-fired what it called long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos showing apparent progress in the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine. Observers say North Korea aims to demonstrate or review its achievements on the weapons development sector ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress, the first of its kind in five years. During Sunday’s launch drill, Kim defended his push for a stronger nuclear program.

For oil markets, Venezuela is a footnote in an age of abundance. Yet, oil production by the two nations tells a starkly different story. Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy, an energy advisory firm, said Venezuela’s oil industry was already hollowed out long before the sanctions. For oil markets, Venezuela is a footnote in an age of abundance. Venezuela alone cannot end it.”Trump said US companies will help rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry.

Credit: Jessica Thompson Modern-day Malawi outlined on a map of Africa, and Mount Hora. Credit: Jessica ThompsonHer funeral, if she was female, was a communal effort, the team surmises. Credit: Flora SchiltBefore this, the oldest known deliberate cremation in Africa was 3,300 years ago, by Elmenteitan pastoralists in Kenya, in subterranean settings. Fire in the Jordan ValleyWhile hers is the earliest known cremation in Africa so far, likely we don't know a lot. Furthermore: The Malawi cremation was done by open pyre, while the one in Israel was done inside a plaster-lined pit that could retain heat.

Water MattersEurope's water is under increasing pressure. Pollution, droughts, floods are taking their toll on our drinking water, lakes, rivers and coastlines. Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters, how our wastewater can be better managed, and to discover some of the best water solutions. Video reports, an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters, from Euronews.

Egypt needed extra time to beat Benin 3-1 in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and advance to the quarter-finals after the game ended 1-1 in regulation in Agadir. After a goalless first half, Egypt broke the deadlock in the 70th minute through Marwan Attia, who curled a superb strike into the top corner from 25 metres following neat combination play between Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Hany. Mohamed El Shenawy initially saved a deflected effort, but Jodel Dossou reacted quickest to turn in the rebound and force extra time for the Cheetahs. The result brings Benin’s AFCON campaign to an end at the Round of 16, their best-ever finish at the tournament. Seven-time champions Egypt now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s Round of 16 tie between title holders Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

PREVIEWWashington is pushing health contracts including tough conditions on big pharma, sexual health and data accessPresident Donald J Trump’s administration is reshaping development policy again with 13 bilateral pacts with African states so far as part of the ‘American First Global Health Strategy’. The latest deals are with Ethiopia, Madagascar, Botswana, and Côte d'Ivoire and worth a cumulative US$2.8 billion, taking the overall total to $16bn. The most lucrative are with Nigeria and Kenya, worth $2.1bn and $1.5bn respectively. The latest agreements follow the blueprint of prioritising programmes offering treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and TB and malaria, as well as infectious diseases (Dispatches, 15/12/25, Trump’s USAID 2.0 takes shape). Organisations such as the Red Cross are reporting that funding for sexual and reproductive health programmes has been dramatically reduced (AC Vol 66 No 6, Targeted by Trump – Africa and Europe draw closer).

Large protests resumed in Tehran's bazaar, the capital's historic mercantile hub, with security forces firing tear gas at anti-government demonstrators as unrest also flared in the holy city of Mashhad. Security forces fired tear gas inside Tehran’s Sina Hospital on Tuesday, according to videos sent to Iran International. At least 29 people have been killed and more than 1,200 arrested in nine days of nationwide protests in Iran, HRANA said, as demonstrations and strikes continued despite a heavier security presence.

Israeli attacks have killed at least 414 Palestinians and injured 1,145 in daily truce violations since October 10. Israel now physically occupies more than 50 percent of the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, Israel launched more attacks into parts of Gaza outside its direct military control. At least three Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli attacks in Khan Younis, medical sources told Al Jazeera. So far, we know the Israeli military is pushing for Rafah to be just a one-way exit,” Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud reported.

Application Deadline: 9 February 2026Applications are now open for the 2026 CSIR’s Capacity Building and Technology Incubation Support Programme. The Energy Industry Support Programme (EISP) is a CSIR Energy Research Center initiative aimed at providing technology development support to small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in the broader energy sector value chain. Capacity BuildingFor SMMEs either already or want to participate in the energy sector. Technical Incubation ServiceFor SMMEs embedded in the energy sector already offered by CSIR. For further information or any assistance, please contact the Energy Industry Team:Email: [email protected]For More Information:Visit the Official Webpage of the CSIR’s Capacity Building and Technology Incubation Support Programme.

Turns out, there’s some life in Rodgers’ right arm yet. “The belief level in the locker room after a win like this is exponentially greater,” Rodgers said. Considering the way Pittsburgh kept bouncing back against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, maybe it should be. “We call it hitting it thin.”A perhaps fitting way for a Ravens season that began with Super Bowl expectations but never seemed to quite get right to end. Steelers running back Kenny Gainwell sprinted in from 2 yards out with 3:49 remaining to put Pittsburgh back in front.

Cameroon Plans to Participate in Medusa Africa Submarine CableAccording to Business in Cameroon, Cameroon has finalized the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the participation in the Medusa Africa submarine cable. Cameroon’s investment in the Medusa Africa submarine cable system is estimated at CFA32.8 billion (approximately US$58.5 million). The European Commission has granted a fund of €14,3 million to support the MEDUSA AFRICA Submarine Cable System through CEF Digital programme. Currently, Cameroon is connected with five international submarine cable systems, i.e., SAIL, WACS (West Africa Cable System), SAT-3/WASC, NCSCS and Ceiba-2. Furthermore, the Ceiba-2 cable system allows the ACE (Africa Coast to Europe) submarine cable to be interconnected with Cameroon through direct fiber connections at cable landing stations in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

While numerous startups and giants have stepped up, the U.S. supply chain cannot sustain the required pace. Get full access to your own national security daily brief by upgrading to Subscriber+Member status. Incentivizing domestic production without isolation will ensure the U.S. has all the pieces it needs to build successfully, brick by brick. The Cipher Brief is committed to publishing a range of perspectives on national security issues submitted by deeply experienced national security professionals. Have a perspective to share based on your experience in the national security field?

OSON, a fintech holding company operating across Central Asia and the UAE, has completed a new digital architecture to support the launch of a multi-currency wallet in the Middle East and North Africa, as part of a wider international expansion planned through 2026. The company said the next-generation platform replaces legacy systems with a modular, API-driven infrastructure designed to handle cross-border payments, regulatory compliance and scalable financial services across multiple jurisdictions. As part of its regional expansion, OSON has established its global headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre, where it has received in-principle approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority and is working toward full regulatory authorisation. Looking ahead to 2026, OSON plans to roll out its multi-currency wallet in selected MENA markets, introduce AI-driven compliance automation tailored to GCC regulations, and deploy white-label eSIM solutions for financial institutions. The company said it is also preparing its systems to meet regulatory requirements for potential expansion into additional markets, including the United States.

The Atlas Lions qualified for the quarter-final of the Africa Nations Cup 2025 after beating stubborn Tanzania 1-0 in a thrilling game played Sunday at fully packed Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The Moroccan goal was scored by striker Brahim Diaz in the 64th minute, becoming the top scorer in AFCON 2025 netting four goals in four consecutive matches. Tanzania remained competitive until the final whistle but could not find a way back as Morocco held firm to secure progression. With the win, Morocco advance to the quarter-finals, where they will meet on January 9 Cameroon, winner of South Africa 2-1 at a match played Sunday at the Stade Al Madina in Rabat. The Morocco-Cameroon match will be played at Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat.

Morocco are into the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals after narrowly beating a defiant Tanzania in Rabat. It was a last-16 tie dominated by the tournament hosts but it took them more than an hour to get the breakthrough. Brahim Diaz scored the game's only goal in the 64th minute, lashing in from a tight angle with an assist from Achraf Hakimi. Walid Regragui’s side will face Cameroon, who beat South Africa later on Sunday, in next Friday's quarter-final.